Saturday, September 25, 2010

Hello from Kathy

I know you haven't heard from me in a long time and I just wanted to give you an update on what's been going on with me. I went back into the hospital on Sept 11 and shortly thereafter had surgery. The intestinal infection I suffered from earlier in the summer did not completely respond to the antibiotics and slowly spread to several other organs, necessitating a complicated abdominal surgery to remove two abscesses. The doctors said I was lucky to be alive and, from the way I felt after surgery, I believe them. Good news, NO CANCER, just a very, very nasty infection.

I was finally discharged from the hospital yesterday and now face a long recovery period to get my strength and health back. Thanks to some wonderful nursing care and excellent doctors I can tell I'm on the mend and I thank you all for your patience and well wishes during this difficult time.

I will be getting back to work slowly, I think. The new book will be out soon though! Thank goodness this didn't interrupt that.

So, here's the deal in case you're wondering – YES, the American Schoolgirl Club will definitely continue!

Originally, I intended to run the 6 club patterns through the months of June, July, August, Sept, Oct and November. Because of circumstances, I am going to have to skip the month of September and will resume the patterns in October through December. So those of you in the club will still receive ALL 6 patterns, they will just be interrupted for one month while I recover. If you have a friend in the club, please pass the word.

If some of you are disappointed and do not wish to wait, please e-mail me and I will be more than willing to give you a partial refund for the remaining months. Those of you who are new members and ordered the club in Sept will receive the first 3 patterns that were sent out earlier as soon as I am able to get them out. It might be next week. I can't drive for 3 weeks so getting around is going to be difficult and I am dependent on others for the help.

Again, I am so sorry for all of the inconvenience and hope you know that you can trust that I intend to fulfill my promise of delivering the patterns to you. But my health has to come first. It's been a very stressful time for my family as I am usually the caretaker. I've been blessed with a wonderful, loving husband and great kids, four amazing and caring sisters and a multitude of friends who have surrounded me and my family with love and support. How can I lose?

I will update you as I get stronger and hope to rejoin you soon in the blog world and may even answer e-mails that have come in recently. Please know that I am always aware that I could not do any of this without all of you - my supportive fans who inspire me every day with your steadfast loyalty. It's good to be home! Oh my goodness, my puppies missed their mama . . . .

46 comments:

Oh my goodness, it is so good to hear from you! I have been so worried. I pray for your speedy return to health and well being. Is that a soft coated wheaten I see and maybe a cockapoo. We have had the first and have one of the second now. Just take care of yourself.

Dear Kathy, I am such a fan of yours, I am so sorry to hear how unwell you have been and am sending you all the very best wishes for a complete recovery. Take care, get plenty of rest and all the rest will fall in to place. Your photographs are beautiful as always. Kind regards, Ann

WELCOME HOME Kathy, i had no idea you were so ill, i've been checking your blog daily in anticipation of your return from hospital..i bet it feels GREAT to be back home! be sure to rest up and not overdo it..let others fuss & spoil you..you deserve it! x

btw i'm going to go and join the American Schoolgirl Club right now, i'm ssoo excited! :)

What a big story Kathy! and what a great luck that it is stil good whit you, you need your rest of course, but it wil be good! It is so good to hear from you, take very care of your health. I already bought your new book and waiting for it in januari. There are still many dollquiltclubs, but no one is so exciting as yours, I am very glad to be a member.

Dearest Kathy,I am so sorry to hear that you had to go back into the hospital, but am so glad that you are healing from your surgery and going to be good as new. Relax and rest and don't worry about your club right now. It will all come together when you're feeling better.

Dear Kathy, I'm delighted to hear that you're 'on the mend'. What a horrible time you've had this year. You must concentrate on getting yourself right and try not to worry about about commitments outside of the family. We've all "been there" at some time, can empathise with your plight ...... and have plenty of projects to keep us occupied until you're A1 again.Bisous (French hugs!) Sue.

Dear Kathy, Here is a get well wish for you. It's paramount to care for oneself first...the rest will fall back into place. Also, wanted you to know, I'm currently making the ruched-flower doll quilt from "Remembering Adelia". I added a scalloped border. I'll send you a pic later. No return mail-just focus on you. Prayers and Good Tidings,Penni/TownCommonFolkArt

I can totally relate to your post. I've been in a wheelchair for the last month because of a broken hip. I have two little ones to chase after so it was a bummer to see them playing without me. Thankfully, I'm healing well and hope that you do too. Keep your spirits up. Here's to a sound recovery.

How wonderful to hear that you are improving each day even if it is at a slower pace than you would like. Please continue to take care of yourself and try not to overdo....... I am new to miniature quilts but I have so enjoyed the two I have made from your patterns. Your designs are definitely worth waiting for.

How wonderful to see a post from you this am. I am happy to hear you are home and progressing on your recovery. Such and ordeal. Remember that you need to relax and heal completely- and that all else can wait, including the club patterns, blogging, answering emails etc. Take care of you and we will all continue to send you positive thoughts to keep the healing process going! Those of us who so enjoy what you do are more than happy to be patient. Good things are worth the wait- anytime!Karen

Glad to see a post and get an update. Sometimes life just throws us one of those curve balls that wasn't in "our plan" and it makes us realize life is precious and we must stop taking all for granted. I'm glad your on the mend!Now...must ask is your cream colored dog a Wheaton?

Thank you all for the wonderful "get better" wishes! I can't tell you how good it feels to finaly have some energy to write.

About my doggies - the light colored pup is a 9 yr old Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. The little black one is a 2 yr old Maltese/Poodle mix - a "Maltipoo". My daughter named her Ophelia but I like to call her "Princess Lia" because, if the shoe fits . . . .

So glad to hear that you are on the mend. Sorry to hear that it took surgery to correct the issue but at least it is likely you will fully recover now. Glad the book is on schedule. We will take Schoolgirl patterns when they come...who is ever caught up with projects anyway!

I've been checking your blog daily to see how you are. It was so nice to check in this morning and see that you are finally home. What a blessing. And it sounds as if you have a great support team. Take good care of yourself and don't try to overdo things. Use that support team.Love the doggies, they are sooo cute. I have been making a few doll quits from your books and my kitties love them! A pixie bob and a Maine coon.

The blog will wait. The club will wait. The replies will wait. Your health and need for rest and recovery come first. Sending wishes your way for a complete recovery, a return of energy, and quilting ventures we can follow with you in the near future.

Dear Kathy, I'm glad to hear you're okay! Take your time to recover. All quilters have more projects then they can make, so it's absolutely no problem that the schoolgirl club has a delay. Your health is priority number 1. Take good care and enjoy your loved ones. GreetingsHubertine

Like others I too have been checking your blog for your update.So glad to hear you are home with family and those sweet puppies! Heal well and we will be here rooting for you. We are not going anywhere! Louise

Kathy- So glad to hear you are home and hope that you can now make a full & speedy recovery! Don't worry about getting the club patterns out...I know we're all more than happy to wait until you're ready. Besides, I think we all have plenty to keep us busy! So glad to hear from you, dear friend!

I am so glad to have the update - but sorry to hear about what you've been going through, Kathy! Having a health scare like this really puts life in perspective, doesn't it? Take care of yourself - your health does come first!

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I'm a quilt designer and author of six quilting books for Martingale. I love making small quilts with an antique look and find inspiration in quilts from the past and the women who made them.
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